OatBoy

Me and my buddy are thinking of dropping a new engine into a 71 convertible, what do you guys think the pros and cons of the zz4 vs 383 stroker are, which is better in the end?

Fevre

Stroke me, stroke me! :yesnod:

mrvette

As usualy it depends on what the car is going to spend most time doing...
and fuel costs, figgering 2 bux a gallon...
for drag racing easy choice 383...
for road use, I'd stick to the ZZ4 and an overdrive tranny to go along with it...but for just mainly city drivine with very limited freeway use...
the old tranny will be fine...
personally I like fuel injection, but if that's out of the question, after that is an AFB Carter/Edel carb....unless autocrossing...

GENE

Budman68

Owen, Did you get a 71 Vert? I must of missed that post. Congrats. As Mrvette, you need to know what your going to do with the car. For a daily driver and reliable drag racing the ZZ4. They are very fast. The 383 is another story. With the right go fast parts they can go very, very fast. Beach Bum on the C-4 forum get 11's with FI and 700R4. It is a true Viper killer. But it is not a daily driver. Several C-3'er have 383 and are very happy.

What is your goal? Maybe that will help.

Ganey

To me the choice is not 350 or 383+, it's 383+ or BB. Prefer BB. The BB stroke changes things, it's more like a BB or you could say SBB or BSB.

Crate motors are for guys who don't build engines.

Built 383+ !

:cool:

73-454

Dollar for Dollar the ZZ4 is the only way to go. I have heard of horror stories regarding 383, If you do decide to go with a 383 then you better know your engine builder real well or you will end up with something that is a very expensive piece of junk.

mountainmotor

Agree with Ganey,383 and up!

The horror stories come from crate motors-not from (well built )383's.I have learned from being on the forum and helping others via email that competent machine shops are somewhat few and far between in comaparison to the actual number of them across the US.Most though will get the job done right when you tell them how you want it done.Have many examples that are somewhat comical.

In my opinion,crate motors must be tore down for inspection before raced and I think Ganey will agree.The process of buiding a 383 or other performance motor can be tedious and time consuming yet will benefit in the end over a crate motor and will make more power for less money

VetteNut72

The warranty is probably the best reason to go with a ZZ4. When that's up - stroke-it or whatever else you might want to do with it. Also all the parts are factory brand new quality parts.

Just try to get a warranty from an engine builder. Then ask your friends how many are really happy with with the work done on their engines. I had two built for me before I went with the ZZ4. I ran it stock for the first couple of years and I am in the middle of "after warranty modifications" now.

If you have an engine built, make sure the builder knows what he is doing and has the proper equipment. Maybe testamonials from satisfied customers would help. :cheers:

GrandSportC3

383 = more power and better for racing (better ET's)
ZZ4 = great power througout the RPM band and great reliability but not as powerful as a good built 383.

Olivier

74vetteman

GM makes a 383 with a two year warranty. The HT383 is a little different than the usual 383 in that it has a 3.8 stroke instead of a 3.75 (also forged steel crank). This engine also has 5.7 inch rods. This allows the engine to have a normal 4.000 bore instead of being 0.030 over. Factory stock dyno tested by Hot Rod magazine revealed 338 hp and 444 tq ( GM advertises 325 hp and 415 tq. As usual the general overdelivers!!). Adding 1.6 rockers netted 355 hp and 452 tq. Adding air gap rpm intake made 370 hp and 466 tq. Demon 750 (versus 650) carb netted 379 hp and 474 tq. Bigger cam (230/236 duration@.050 vs 196/207@.050) netted 455 hp and 493 tq.

Even with no mods, this engine will outperform the zz4 (444tq versus ~405), and with 9:1 compression will probably run on regular gas. Also with the tiny factory cam the engine will idle smoothly. Advertised price is $3895.00.

1980ZZ4

It's definitely a matter of what you plan to do with it. I chose the ZZ4 because of it's great power, reliability, and warranty. I drive my car as much as weather conditions allow and frequent the race track only on occasion to have fun. There, consistancy matters more than fast-fast. Sure, I get beat by a faster car occasionally, but most of us don't have the money to be so fast we'll never be beat due to speed alone...so why try if you are aiming for qualities that allow the reliable use of your car on a daily basis? Good Luck with your choice, whichever you choose.

Mack

Or old farts who used to build engines and got lazy in their old age. :D

OatBoy

Nooooo, i wish i had thats my dream car. I found it while idly cruising the corvette ads, i told my freind and he bought, im hoping to afford one by november or so. :(

Clink69

I have a built, all forged 383 and its great. Also very streetable. I just got back from a 220 mile trip, no problems. I believe a forged built 383 will be just as or more reliable as a ZZ4 assuming its done right.

:flag

0Mike69@ECS

I love My ZZ4 and I could have built a motor for it.

The ZZ4 is all new. Produces great Hp & Torque. I can run it all day at the track turning low 13's and drive it on the street with great reliability. It's a great motor right out of the box.

Thats why I bought a ZZ4. When I blow it up, I'll stroke it. Untill then, I will prob do heads and cam, but nothing major - and I'll love it.

robzr

It probably depends on your budget. If you can do a 383 within your price range, without skimping on the parts, that is the way to go! I've had an absolute blast with my 388, although I would have done a few things differently in the build up if I had the chance. Details on that are on my page (see link in sig). At any rate that is irrelevant because I'll now be running a 434 stroker I bought Saturday (details on that are in the link too). So the 388 is for sale - if anyone is interested.

Rob

Fevre

Wher you get the stroker and how much for the 383 sans heads?

drspencer

Will the ZZ4 idle as smoothly as a stock 350/270?

Thanks

fishslayer143

I could not disagree more.. please tell us some 383 horror stories that you personally experienced.

fishslayer143

smooth idle depends on cam profile, not cubic inches